Questionable Lyrics in Jay Park's "Everything You Wanted"

Jay Park has released his newest LP Everything You Wanted and it’s quite obvious that he’s got sex on the brain. Though he’s certainly matured since his “Fresh Air: Breathe It” days, the topic is one that Jay still hasn’t completely finessed expressing. The R&B vibe is where Jay shines — the vocals and production on the album are on point — but the lyricism isn’t quite hitting the mark. Whether this is just Jay saying “I’m grown, I’m going to say what I want to say how I want to say it,” or just laziness is up for debate. Quite a few tracks on the album lean towards the latter.

“I Don’t Disappoint”

The beat mixed with Jay’s vocals are so smooth that if you don’t listen to what he’s saying the song is perfect, but when you get deeper into it, there are some questionable lines mixed in.

Baby baby baby,
I’ve been thinking of you,
I can’t wait to go and f*** you right.

Imma beat it up, no mercy yeah,
I ain’t frontin’ frontin’ real thirsty yeah,
You can be rough just don’t hurt me yeah.

These are just some of the lines that are said. Why Jay? Just why? There are times when honesty is the best policy but if you’re trying to seduce a girl, this isn’t the particular best way to go. It’s not that there’s anything wrong, per se, with what’s being said here. It’s how it’s being said. This is an example of Jay being lazy. Saying you can’t wait to f*** a girl is not smooth, you’re still not a player, and if this is the best line you can spit, you might be a hypocrite.

“Feature” (Feat. Cha Cha Malone)

The combination of Jay and Cha Cha was a match made in heaven and this is the track that proves it. It’s the definition of grown and sexy, the kind of song that makes you want to drink wine and lay on silk sheets in your good pajamas. But then…

“What I wanna do yeah
Wanna grab you by your booty”

The effect is jarring and it’s childish. It’s try hard. Everything was going well until that line and there are a million other ways to express the sentiment without sounding eerily like a political candidate.

I forgot Cha Cha could sing since he spends so much time on the other side of the mic, but if he dropped an album, I wouldn’t be mad. It’s easy to tell him and Jay have been working together for a while because the track is effortless. Both of their voices sound great. And no, Cha Cha does not get a pass for his lyrics either.

“All these ni**as try to 1-up me”

We’ve had this happen too many times before, and as a black man he should especially know better. If he’s going to put himself out there in this industry, then he should be held to the standards of his peers. Whether it’s a cover or insensitivity or even plain ignorance, whenever any K-pop artist spews out the ‘N’ word, it becomes a huge problem. Zico, Rap Monster, Taeyang, even Lee Hi and Hwasa have been put through the ringer for saying the word. Personal feelings aside, if Cha Cha wants to be in the K-music world, then he needs to be treated like a K-music artist, so when he says things that can be construed as offensive, then the firing squad should come after him as hard as anyone else.

The word itself isn’t entirely the problem here. Without making this into a racial discussion, or a powwow about who can or cannot say what words, it’s the fact that, like much of what Jay says, it’s completely unnecessary and hearing it takes you out of the song. There are so many other word choices Cha Cha could have used, yet he chose this one. It’s lazy writing, no better than Jay’s.

“All I Wanna Do” (Feat. Hoody, Loco)

This song comes in both Korean and English and the difference in the versions is jarring.

Korean version:

I have on a 50k watch right now
But I think you’re much more precious babe
If you want, I won’t put it on
Because being pretentious won’t work

English version:

Girl l ain’t with playin games
I wanna take u home I’m just bein frank
Oh yeah
I’ve been fantising about you girl all night
Put yo panties to the side if it’s alright

There’s a complete 180 degree change in vibe between the two versions. While the Korean version is sweet, telling the girl how she’s worth whatever changes she wants him to go through, the English version is aggressive about getting into bed with the woman.

“Drive” (Feat. Gray)

Though probably more suited to a summer release, this is easily one of if not the most complete tracks on the album. Produced by Gray, who also adds some vocals, the song is the whole package: Jay and Gray sound great, the beat is killer, and the lyrics are not some half-driven attempt at being a master player.

We worked hard
So today, let’s go somewhere
Me and you
Girl, I’ll show you the world

Simplicity is always the best way to get your point across.

“Aquaman”

I’ll be deep in your legs
I’ll be making you wet
Like it’s my super power
You gon’ think I’m Aquaman

It’s cringe-worthy. It’s corny. It’s my most played song on the album. To be fair, the song was pre-released and so it had time to grow an identity without being compared to the rest of the tracklist. However, it falls into the category of having this amazing, Cha Cha-produced, 90s inspired, Aaliyah‘s “Rock The Boat” feel to it. Jay is singing his heart out, but when you go into your skills being like Aquaman, it brings on laughs. The concept is a 10, the execution is a 5.

“ME LIKE YUH” (Feat. Hoody)

Like “All I Wanna Do” this song is featured in two languages and, again, there’s a huge difference between the two.

Korean:

It’s such a perfect night
I go crazy when you move
Come a little closer
I’m waiting so desperately

English:

Wake up wake up Let’s get it started
Stay up stay up girl I be on it
Don’t go to bed unless your going with me
Phone blowing up I’mma let the hotline bling

There’s a sensual reggae vibe to the song that lends itself to seduction, so no matter which version is playing, it’s bound to be a hit. However, you catch more bees with honey than vinegar and the Korean version is just sweeter. It also shows that Jay can write sweet things. He doesn’t have to be in your face with the sex this and sex that, but he purposely makes this English songs that way.

Here’s the thing: Jay can sing. He makes good music, but the lyrics are sloppy and that takes away from his talent. If he wants to be a sex machine then that’s his prerogative. As a grown man he can get away with that. Yet, if he wants us to believe the hype he’s trying to sell, he could at least make the package a little prettier. If you’re in love with me, say it like you mean it. If you just want a one night stand, make it clear, but at least pretend a little about the situation. Above all else, be consistent in the game you’re spitting. Don’t come with the pretty water metaphors one time and then turn around and just blurt out the first thought in your mind the next.

It may not sound like it, but I actually enjoyed the album. The production value is what makes everything work. Cha Cha and Gray work wonders and the features are excellent. Will I continue to play this album? Some of the songs. Will I cringe when I hear the lyrics? Absolutely, but I will also hope that growth will happen. You can listen to the rest of the tracks below and form your own opinions.

Sorry if im confused but isnt cha cha black…? Isnt it ok for him to say the N word….????

Kerrie Johnson

I think the author means it in a “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander” type of way. Like, if you’re going to hold rappers in category X to a certain standard, you have to hold rappers in category Y to the same standard.

저단이

This is kind of what I was thinking, you know? Like yes, Chacha is a K-music artist, but before anything, Cha is black…but still, I understand her point of view of how it wasn’t exactly necessary and stuff

Roseemarieee

To be exact Cha Cha is not fully black. He is Filipino (Mother’s side) and African American (Father’s side) but anyways the point she mentioned wasn’t focused on his race so lol

anon

Great review, it said everything I was thinking. If I listen without the lyrics the songs are great, but the unimaginative way he describes wanting to get with women, is lame.

Lo_SB

My theory is that the killer production and bad lyrics are connected: Jay’s spent so much time in the studio that he hasn’t had time to flirt with an average woman– or even been around one who doesn’t work for him– in quite a while. And when your boss asks if you like some lyrics, you say yes, even if it involves Aquaman.

J. Machie

This comment is so spot on that I wonder if you live in Seoul and have actually met Jay before. O.o

Lo_SB

Sadly, that is not the case, but if he needs someone to try his lines on, I will GLADLY volunteer as tribute.

Jazzy1004

Yeah honestly I would love Jay if it weren’t for his lyrics…I think he writes sweater lyrics in Korean cuz he knows what his Korean audience wants to hear. Right now a lot of idols and rappers have been called out for sexist lyrics so I’m sure he doesn’t want to be next. Or maybe he is just being himself when he speaks a language he is more fluent in which is unfortunate cuz these lyrics are a turn off…Jay is a good looking guy too…but he is almost 30 and reminds of why I hated high school boys cuz they talk just like him about sex.

find_nothing_here

Isn’t Jay Park American though? I don’t think the lyrics he writes in Korean are better necessarily, probably just less explicit.

Lunar

Exactly

Streby

My favourite Jay Park lyrics so far:

“I tried to leave but I ain’t getting away.
No wonder your eyes are red in every picture we take”

“Don’t need no directions know the way to your heart if we married
Tennis only time I’ll take you to court”

Streby

They’re so corny you wonder if he’s serious or kidding, but you gotta love it

find_nothing_here

See, that’s the kinda cheesy I can get behind.

Jpark makes good sex jams but his lyrics are never going to be anything deep.

Javonia Lieteau

Oh how right you are. I always fix my feelings to hate before even listening to one of his songs because of the wreckless lyricism. But of course the music, signing, and rapping makes me like it.
True, some people respond well to the aggressive lyrics but it’d be nice to hear him try to romance a woman rather than just sex her up.

llamalova

I find myself muttering the same two words after each Jay Park single/MV release.

I Can’t.

karen Wang

just finished album， your article is spot on! I was doing some work and had the album in the back ground. And I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “Grab you by your booty”?? that’s pretty much donald trump”I just grabbed her by her p*ssy”..It’s just such a turn off. I am a fan of his voice and dance moves. Such a shame….

lwavesurfer

What a turn off.

ToriLaSuper

You echoed a lot of thoughts I was thinking! Although I really like the album overall and agree the production was great, the lyrics would have to be the weakest area, in my opinion. I think Jay should’ve been more suggestive at a lot of points, rather than just diving straight in (no pun intended lol). Unless he wants to tread into Lil Wayne type of territory, though I don’t think that’s his intention. But other than that, the beats and the music itself are really fun to listen to. I’ve had it on repeat every time I get in my car lol. Great review, btw!

drama_llama

I’m actually a little shocked by the remark you made about chacha. Chacha is a black man, so he possesses every right to say the n word. The only reason RM, Zico, Hwasa etc. were dragged to hell and back was because they aren’t black, so they have no right to be using that word. Also just because he is in the k industry doesn’t mean anything, he is still a black man and if he wants to say it he should be able to. The only reason people in the k industry are not able to say the n word is because they aren’t black.

Leesha Coleman

As I mentioned in the article, it’s not a commentary on who is or isn’t allowed to say what. The point here is that it’s unnecessary and it takes away from the song. The Korean market and the US market have different rules and if he’s going to come out as an artist in the Korean market he should follow the rules of the Korean market.

NDH

I’ll have to admit that I do not like the English versions of “All I Wanna Do” and “Me Like Yuh”. But the production is on point and is a solid album. It has a little bit for everyone with catchy hooks. But you should’ve pointed out his high notes with “Stay With Me” and “The Truth Is” which are better written. In my opinion, sad songs usually make the best songs.

Lee Hayeon

Cha Cha is half black though..

EDIT: nvm, I realized why you mentioned the lyric

Lunar

I honestly think he’s really smart for the difference in the lyrics because, to put it simply, that’s what sells in their respective countries. His English songs are what are played in the us and his Korean ones in Korea. I don’t know, with all the analyzing how you didn’t notice, but these are two very different target groups to sell to.

ParadisePeach

Really like your review! I feel the same – the flow of his songs, the beat and his voice are all so amazing that it tends to make us forget about the sexist lyrics. And i’ll still put it on repeat for hours but I wish his lyrical approach to sex was a bit more poetic. And he 100% has the skill set to make it more poetic ^^

hahaha I was jamming Jay Park one day and I was so used to it by that point but when my boyfriend heard the lyrics his mouth practically fell on the floor haha xD

Dylan k

This article is garbage.

If you are a kpop fan and you try to relate that type of music with an actual R&B song, you are an idiot.

I know you won’t tell me you are a consistent listener of R&B because that’s what it is; r&b is known to be extremely direct with major focus being sex.

For example, Chris Brown’s “Take you down”? or Usher’s “Bad girl”? Even Omarion’s “Post to be”

This is the nature of R&B, know the genre before you utter shit; Using direct lyrics is so fucking prevalent, I am in shock this article is actually on this site.

Also? Chacha can say nigga if he wants to, r&b is black music, how the fuck do you have problem with a black man using nigga? This is the type of attitude that’s beyond baffling.

Does the term “nigga” have a dark history? FOR SURE.
But in this country, the term is used excessively as a term of affection as well as another “man”. Words and its connotations evolve, grow up. So I guess you are okay with artists who say “faggots” because it’s origin is not negative at all? Of course people can’t say faggot now; it evolved into an awful derogatory term. That’s the nature of it

Considering Jay’s album received critical acclaim by korean awarding and reviewing sites, I’m sure you are the main issue.

Jay’s aqua man was definitely corny, but that’s what it was suppose to be, that was his intent.

I don’t even fuck with Jay Park, but a listener who obviously don’t know much about r&b doing a review is just hilarious.